Approval renewed for the Twin Rivers facility: reaction from the City

Jun 29, 2023

The Department of the Environment and Local Government has just announced that it will be granting a new Class 1 Air Quality Approval to the Twin Rivers plant.

Holders of a Class 1 Approval for Large Industry are required to comply with the Air Quality Regulation under the Clean Air Act and to operate their facilities in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the Approval.

Last April, as part of the public participation process for the renewal of Twin Rivers' Air Quality Approval, the City of Edmundston submitted comments and a series of questions, as requested by the New Brunswick Department of the Environment.

The comments submitted by the City of Edmundston followed a recent environmental survey in which 60% of respondents indicated that they were dissatisfied with air quality and that foul odours were one of the biggest environmental challenges in Edmundston.

In its information document, the Department of the Environment and Government states that "the facility recognizes odours persist and will continue to seek process improvements to reduce mill odours. The Department will ensure Twin Rivers continues to work on improvements and if deemed necessary implement an odour mitigation plan as a condition in the Intended Air Approval to Operate."

"The public has asked us to take action in this area. Twin Rivers is an important economic and community partner. Our involvement in the accreditation renewal process is aimed at sharing the public's concerns about foul odours," explains Deputy Mayor Karen Power.

"We are well aware that the odour problem will not be solved overnight, as the process is complex. But we are satisfied with the responses from the Department of the Environment and Local Government, and we are continuing our discussions with the plant's management, who take the situation seriously and wish to undertake an in-depth analysis in the near future to find concrete solutions."

The final summary of Twin Rivers Pulp Ltd. issues can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

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CONTACT: Karen Power, Deputy Mayor, 506.739.2115